Dear Family and Friends (Brew Crew),

It is hard to believe that it has been twelve years since Nikki was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. She is now twenty years old. That is approximately 43,800 finger sticks to test her blood sugar and approximately 30,660 injections of insulin to keep her alive. I do not know many adults who would be able to deal with this and Nikki’s just a kid!

Nikki had to grow up immediately after being diagnosed. After getting a stomach virus, Nikki was hospitalized. Her blood sugar was in the 860’s. That is seven times higher than what is considered normal (70-115). She now had to give up being a kid at the age of eight! To take care of herself, she had to become a doctor, nutritionist, pharmacist…not playing one like other kids……actually becoming one to care for herself. She became a doctor to help her with her symptoms, how much insulin to give, how to give injections. She became a nutritionist to know what to eat, how much to eat, and when to eat to control her blood sugar. She became a pharmacist to know what the many different types of insulin do to her to control her diabetes. None of these professions she chose. She had to become them to survive.

There was a virus going around Tallahassee a few weeks ago. Naturally, Nikki fell ill with the virus. Her blood sugar was out of control and had to be hospitalized. Being sick and having Juvenile Diabetes is different than just being sick…..”Starve a cold, feed a fever?” In simple terms….being sick, one doesn’t want to eat; and that’s alright. Being sick and having Juvenile Diabetes, one must eat because of the insulin given. Debbi dropped everything and headed North to be with Nikki. Even though Nikki is on her own, she is still our little girl. We would like to keep her protected, but we can’t always do it. She is now back to what was “normal” before getting sick.

Nikki will graduate in April from Tallahassee Community College with her AA Degree. She will be going to the University of Central Florida in the Fall majoring in Psychology. She will make a great Psychologist after what she has been and is going through. She has done more, seen more, and realized more than many people I know.

Once again, it is time for our yearly “WALK TO CURE DIABETES.” This year’s theme for the walk is, “BANKING ON A CURE.” The walk is on March 29, 2008. There is a new Walk Site this year….it is at Mizner Amphitheater in Boca Raton. Would you please help us the raise money to find a cure for Juvenile Diabetes? You can make a donation and walk with us or just make a donation. You can send your donation (check) made out to the “Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation” to Jeff and Debbi Wagner, 9761 S.W. 3^rd Place, Boca Raton, Florida, 33428. You may also donate by going on line at http://walk.jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=extranet.personalpage&confirmid=86976711 . Find Nikki Wagner’s name and follow the instructions.

As I say every year, THANK YOU for your continued support. Together, we can find a cure….NIKKI IS BANKING ON IT!


Jeff & Debbi Wagner